World's highest pumped storage power station begins construction

The world's highest pumped storage power station, known as the Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station, began construction in 2015 and was completed in phases. Located in Hebei Province, China, this facility is part of a larger plan to improve the country's energy storage capacity and support its growing demand for renewable energy sources.

Pumped storage is a type of hydroelectric power generation that involves using excess electrical energy to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during offpeak hours. When electricity is needed, the water is released back down through turbines to generate power. This method provides a way to store energy efficiently and can help balance the grid by supplying power during peak demand periods or when intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar are not generating electricity.

The Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station consists of two reservoirs: one at the top of a mountain, which serves as the upper reservoir, and another at the base, which acts as the lower reservoir. The difference in elevation between these two reservoirs creates potential energy that can be harnessed to produce electricity.

Upon completion, the Fengning station has a total installed capacity of 6 gigawatts (GW), making it one of the largest pumped storage facilities in the world. The project includes multiple pumpturbine units, each capable of generating significant amounts of electricity.

The engineering challenges associated with building such a highaltitude pumped storage power station were considerable. These included dealing with extreme weather conditions, ensuring the structural integrity of the dams and tunnels at high altitudes, and managing the environmental impact on the surrounding area.

The Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station plays a critical role in China's efforts to transition to a more sustainable energy future. It helps to mitigate the variability of renewable energy sources and ensures a stable supply of electricity to the grid, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy development.